Tag Archives: waste

Soldiers are for war, not for peaceful protests

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Confanity

(Another saying that features 焉. Next week we’ll have something different, I promise.) 鶏を割くに焉んぞ牛刀を用いん (Niwatori wo saku ni izukunzo gyuutou wo mochiin; “Why use a cow-cleaver to cut up a chicken?”) Definition: There’s no need to use powerful tools, or … Continue reading →

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When the bones are bad

Posted on December 1, 2019 by Confanity

…the rest is needed 骨折り損の草臥れ儲け (Honeori zon no kutabire mouke; “Bone-breaking loss and a profit of weariness”) Definition: Working hard without any reward. Bone-breaking labor with no fruits but exhaustion. A wasted effort or thankless task. Breakdown: It turns out … Continue reading →

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Everyone knows they prefer accordions

Posted on October 27, 2019 by Confanity

牛に対して琴を弾ず (Ushi ni tai shite koto wo danzu; “Playing a koto for a cow”) Definition: No matter what you say to a fool, your words are wasted. Even the most moving stories or the most edifying sermon, or the most … Continue reading →

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Like chopping radishes with Excalibur

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Confanity

大根を正宗で切る (Daikon wo Masamune de kiru; “To cut a daikon with a Masamune”) Definition: Overkill. Bringing force, talent, or material to a job or problem far in excess of what is actually needed; often, assigning a task to someone who … Continue reading →

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Emeralds to a sea cucumber. Platinum to a moose.

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Confanity

猫に小判 (Neko ni koban; “Gold coins to a cat”) Definition: Casting pearls before swine. No matter how valuable or useful something is, if you give it to someone who doesn’t understand its worth or use, then it won’t do them … Continue reading →

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